Rachel Peabody never expected to struggle to keep her New Year’s resolution. 

An avid fitness buff, she planned to go to the gym even more often than normal. However, family issues and travel got in the way of her goals. 

“I did go this week, but it took so much willpower for me to actually get up and go,” said the senior Finance major.

Peabody started working out during her senior year of high school to lose weight. After losing over 60 pounds in 2019 she kept going to the gym to maintain her weight and stay healthy. 

“Anytime I wasn’t in school or at work, I would try to be at the gym,” she said. “At the beginning of the school year, I would be at the gym at least three or four days a week. It’s something I really enjoy.” 

As the fall semester continued, her visits to the gym decreased. 

“Once the New Year and semester started, I planned on going back to the gym regularly,” Peabody said. 

But then life got in the way, sidetracking her resolution  – at least temporarily. Peabody still hopes to get more disciplined about hitting the gym for the remainder of 2023.

“My goal is to be more consistent during the summer because I know once I get back into a routine it won’t take willpower anymore,” she said, explaining that getting into the habit of more frequent visits will reinforce the workout habit.

Peabody particularly misses weightlifting. 

“Lifting something really heavy and setting it back down makes me feel in control,” she said. “It’s like therapy.”